Peck to keep commission post

Newly elected Little Rock Ward 4 City Director Capi Peck will keep her position on the city’s Advertising and Promotion Commission.

A brief article that ran in the Arkansas Democrat- Gazette on Thursday stated otherwise after a city official provided incorrect information that Peck would have to leave her position.

Typically there is just one city board member serving on the commission, and City Director at- large Gene Fortson was recently reappointed by the board to that role.

A city spokesman said that meant Peck, who was serving in an industry position on the commission, had to step down now that she is also a city board member.

However, there are Arkansas attorney general opinions that allow Peck to continue her term since she was serving in her position before being elected to the Board of Directors, Gretchen Hall said. Hall is the president and chief executive officer of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is governed by the Advertising and Promotion Commission.

Peck has another year and a half left in her term with the commission and will continue in that role. To be reappointed to the commission after that, she would have to serve in the city director slot and Fortson would have to step down.

Mayor Mark Stodola also is on the commission.

There are still two Advertising and Promotion Commission positions being advertised. Philip Tappan’s term ended last year and is up for appointment. He is continuing to serve until a replacement is named.

Warren Simpson’s position also is being advertised. Simpson agreed to take on a special third term to complete the major renovation of the Robinson Center, and although there are a few years left in that term, he has asked to step down, Hall said.